News

Community Outreach Coordinator for National Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Focuses on Recruitment in Latino Community

PHILADELPHIA (March 31, 2003) — Rosa Ortiz of Merchantville, NJ has been named community outreach coordinator for Fox Chase Cancer Center. In this position, Ortiz will work with primarily Latina and African American women to inform them about the STAR (Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene) trial and encourage eligible women to participate.

A national breast cancer prevention study, STAR focuses on Tamoxifen and Raloxifene. Tamoxifen is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women at an increased risk of developing the disease. Raloxifene is FDA-approved for the prevention of osteoporosis (a bone-loss condition) but is believed to have a similar preventive value as Tamoxifen and may have fewer side effects. The purpose of the study is to determine if one drug is better at preventing breast cancer than the other drug. The study also will determine which drug has fewer side effects.

To achieve this, Ortiz will work primarily from the Fox Chase-Temple Cancer Center, which is located on the Temple University Hospital campus and specializes in expert cancer diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, Ortiz will visit community organizations such as churches, civic associations, community centers, and professional groups to educate women about the breast cancer prevention study.

"Traditionally, African American and Latina women have been underserved in the cancer community, and my objective is to provide them with as much breast health information as I can," says Ortiz. "This includes teaching them about the STAR study and how they specifically can benefit from it."

"The goal of STAR is to enroll 22,000 women," explains Ortiz. "Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in North American women and it is important to educate all women not only about the disease, but about STAR and other prevention studies."

For more information about STAR or if you are interested in setting up a group informational session in your neighborhood, call Ortiz at 215-707-7236 or 1-888-FOX CHASE.

The Fox Chase-Temple Cancer Center, 3322 N. Broad Street, provides a complete range of the highest quality services to outpatients in a compassionate, comfortable setting. Support groups are available for patients and their families, and on-site financial counseling is available to assist patients with concerns about payment for services.

For more information on the Fox Chase - Temple Cancer Center call 215-707-4000 or visit www.temple.edu/foxchasetemple.

STAR is a study of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), a network of research professionals, and is supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Fox Chase Cancer Center, part of the Temple University Health System, is one of the leading cancer research and treatment centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence four consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. For more information, call 1-888-FOX CHASE or (1-888-369-2427).

Disclaimer: Temple University Health System (TUHS) neither provides nor controls the provision of health care. All health care is provided by its member organizations or independent health care providers affiliated with TUHS member organizations. Each TUHS member organization is owned and operated pursuant to its governing documents. Temple Health refers to the health, education and research activities carried out by the affiliates of Temple University Health System and by Temple University School of Medicine.